CN112853689A

CN112853689A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN112853689A
Application number: CN202011222212.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 坂元仁
Original assignee: Sharp Corp
Current assignee: Sharp Corp
Priority date: 2019-11-12
Filing date: 2020-11-05
Publication date: 2021-05-28
Also published as: JP7341862B2; JP7634616B2; JP2025065400A; JP2021074357A; JP2023159415A

Abstract

The washing machine comprises a water tank for storing washing water, a housing for accommodating the water tank, and at least one washing treatment liquid container for accommodating washing treatment liquid supplied to the water tank, wherein the at least one washing treatment liquid container is protruded from the surface of the housing and is detachably mounted on the housing.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

One aspect of the present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

International publication No. 2019/039140 discloses a washing machine in which a detergent container is detachably mounted inside a casing. In the washing machine described in international publication No. 2019/039140, an opening and a lid for opening and closing the opening are provided in an upper portion of a casing. And, the detergent container is installed inside the opening of the housing, i.e., inside the housing, after the cover is opened.

Disclosure of Invention

However, according to the washing machine described in international publication No. 2019/039140, since the detergent container is mounted inside the casing, it is difficult for a user to detach the detergent container from the casing or to mount the detergent container on the casing when adding detergent to the detergent container. An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a washing machine in which a detergent container is easily attached to and detached from a housing.

A washing machine according to an aspect of the present invention includes a water tank for storing washing water, a casing for accommodating the water tank, and at least one washing treatment liquid container for accommodating washing treatment liquid supplied to the water tank, the at least one washing treatment liquid container protruding from a surface of the casing and being detachably attached to the casing.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the respective paths of the automatic washing operation and the manual washing operation in the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the detergent container and the softener container mounted on the mounting portion and the manual detergent input portion in the washing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the detergent container and the softener container according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which the detergent container according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the mounting portion.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of a detergent container and a mounting portion according to modification 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a side view showing an example of the structure of a cleaning liquid container according to modification 2 of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the washing treatment liquid container shown in fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of an arrangement pattern of the cleaning liquid container according to modification 3 of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of the cleaning liquid container according to modification 4 of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of the cleaning liquid container according to modification 5 of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of the cleaning liquid container according to modification 5 of the embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of the cleaning liquid container according to modification 6 of the embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of the cleaning liquid container according to modification 7 of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of the cleaning liquid container according to modification 8 of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 17 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of the cleaning liquid container according to modification 9 of the embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a washing machine according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal structure of the washing machine shown in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, washing machine 100 includes, for example, a casing 101, a water tank 102 accommodated inside casing 101, a washing treatment liquid container 160 provided on casing 101, and a manual detergent input unit 119 provided on casing 101.

As an example, in the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the washing machine 100 is capable of two kinds of washing operations, an automatic washing operation in which the washing operation is automatically performed and a manual washing operation in which the washing operation is manually performed. For example, when the automatic washing operation reaches a preset time, the washing machine 100 starts the washing operation without waiting for an instruction from the user. On the other hand, the manual washing operation is a washing operation started after receiving an instruction from a user by, for example, pressing an operation button.

The casing 101 surrounds the water tank 102. The housing 101 includes an upper surface 101a provided above the water tank 102, a bottom surface 101b provided below the water tank 102, a front surface 101c provided in front of the water tank 102, a back surface 101d provided on the back surface side behind the water tank 102, and

side surfaces

101e and 101f provided on both sides of the water tank 102 with the water tank 102 interposed therebetween. For example, the upper surface 101a covers the upper part of the water tank 102, and the bottom surface 101b covers the lower part of the water tank 102. For example, the front surface 101c, the side surface 101e, the back surface 101d, and the side surface 101f are respectively provided standing upright on the bottom surface 101b, and are arranged in this order to cover the periphery of the side surface of the water tank 102.

Further, the housing 101 includes a mounting portion 117 for mounting the cleaning treatment liquid container 160. For example, the mounting portion 117 is recessed from the surface of the housing 101 into the housing 101. For example, the mounting portion 117 is provided on the upper surface portion 101a of the housing 101. That is, the mounting portion 117 is provided so as to be recessed from the surface of the upper surface portion 101a of the casing 101 toward the inside of the casing 101. The mounting portion 117 may be provided at a position other than the upper surface portion 101a of the housing 101.

The cleaning treatment liquid container 160 will be described as a container for storing a detergent or the like used in the automatic cleaning operation in advance, as an example in the present embodiment. In addition, a detergent or the like stored in the cleaning treatment liquid container 160 may be used during the manual cleaning operation.

The cleaning solution container 160 is projected from the surface of the casing 101 and is detachably attached to the casing 101. That is, the cleaning solution container 160 is detachably mounted on the mounting portion 117. The cleaning solution container 160 contains the cleaning solution supplied to the water tank 102. The washing treatment liquid is a chemical liquid for washing, such as a detergent or a softener.

Although the washing machine 100 may have at least one washing treatment liquid container 160, in the present embodiment, the washing machine 100 is described by taking as an example a case where the washing machine 100 has a detergent container (washing treatment liquid container) 162 and a softener container (washing treatment liquid container) 163 as the at least one washing treatment liquid container 160. The detergent container 162 has a capacity to store a liquid detergent in an amount that can be washed several times. The softener container 163 has a capacity to store a multiple wash amount of liquid softener.

The number of the washing treatment liquid containers 160 (the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163) included in the washing machine 100 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. In the case where the washing treatment liquid container 160 has a plurality of containers, the volumes of the containers may be the same or different from one another. The washing processing liquid container 160 will be described in detail later. In the case where the washing treatment liquid container 160 has a plurality of containers, the kinds of the respective washing treatment liquids may be the same or different.

The manual detergent input portion 119 is a container for storing a detergent or the like used in the manual washing operation or the automatic washing operation in advance, for example. The manual detergent dispenser 119 is detachably housed in the casing 101. The manual detergent input unit 119 is a container for storing detergent to be supplied to the water tank 102, and is provided separately from the washing treatment liquid container 160. For example, each time the user manually operates the washing machine 100 to wash, the user receives detergent in the manual detergent input portion 119. The detergent contained in the manual detergent input portion 119 may be liquid or powder. The manual detergent input portion 119 may be provided arbitrarily or omitted. The manual detergent input part 119 will be described in detail later.

The water tank 102 is a water tank for storing washing water when the washing machine 100 performs a washing operation. The washing water is a liquid obtained by dissolving a washing treatment liquid such as a detergent or a softener in water. The water tank 102 includes, for example, a large-diameter bottomed cylinder 120 having an opening 121 on the entire surface of one end, a rotary drum 103 housed in the bottomed cylinder 120, and a drain port 122 provided in the bottomed cylinder 120 for draining water inside the water tank 102. The water tub 102 is elastically supported by a plurality of support legs 123 (only one leg is shown) provided on the bottom surface 101b of the housing 101, for example, so that the opening 121 side is directed upward and an inclined posture with the axis thereof inclined with respect to a horizontal plane (a plane parallel to the installation surface of the washing machine 100) is maintained.

The rotary drum 103 is, for example, a bottomed cylinder having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the water tank 102 and having an opening 130 over the entire surface of one end. The opening 130 of the rotary drum 103 is connected to an end of an output shaft 140 of the drum motor 104 provided at the bottom center of the water tank 102, for example, substantially concentrically with the opening 121 of the water tank 102. The rotary drum 103 is driven by the drum motor 104 to rotate around the output shaft 140 inside the water tank 102. A plurality of small holes 132 are formed in the circumferential wall of the rotary drum 103, for example, so as to penetrate the entire surface. Further, a plurality of baffles 133 are projected from the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the rotary drum 103, and the baffles 133 extend in the axial direction at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In addition, in order to avoid complication of the drawing, only a part of the small hole 132 and one baffle 133 are shown in fig. 2.

The drain port 122 is connected to a drain hose 127 via a drain pipe 124. The washing water and the like washed in the water tank 102 are discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 124 and the drain hose 127. Further, a drain valve 126 is provided between the drain pipe 124 and the drain hose 127. The water storage and discharge in the water tank 102 are controlled by opening and closing the drain valve 126.

The casing 101 further includes an inlet 111 for introducing laundry, a door 110 for opening and closing the inlet 111, an operation panel 115 provided with operation buttons for receiving an operation instruction from a user to the washing machine 100, and a water supply connection port 150 connected to a water supply source such as a tap water pipe. For example, the input port 111 and the door 110 are provided on the front surface 101c of the housing 101, and when the door 110 is opened, laundry is input into the water tub 102 (the rotary drum 103) through the input port 111. In addition, when the door 110 is closed, the opening 121 of the water tank 102 is closed. For example, the door 110 is opened by pressing a door opening button 113. Although fig. 1 shows an example of the door 110 having a circular shape, the shape of the door 110 may be a shape other than a circular shape (for example, a square shape).

The operation panel 115 is provided adjacent to the front side of the upper surface 101a so as to be easily operated by a user, for example. The water source connection port 150 is provided at the rear end of the upper surface 101a opposite to the direction of approach to the operation panel 115.

The operation panel 115 includes, for example, an operation unit for various operations and a display unit for displaying various images. In the washing machine 100, the control unit 5 (see fig. 3) controls the operations of the respective units in accordance with the operation of the operation panel 115, thereby executing a series of processes such as a washing operation and a spin-drying operation.

The water source connection port 150 is connected to the water tank 102, for example, via a second valve 151 and a main water distribution pipe 152. The second valve 151 is, for example, a multiple solenoid valve having a plurality of water supply outlets. By switching the water supply outlet by the second valve 151, water supplied from the water supply source is supplied to the water tank 102 via the main water distribution pipe 152, for example, together with the laundry treatment liquid supplied from the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163.

The washing operation in washing machine 100 is performed, for example, by supplying washing water into water tub 102 (rotary drum 103) containing laundry, and driving drum motor 104 to tumble rotary drum 103. The laundry in rotary drum 103 is immersed in the washing water entering rotary drum 103 through small holes 132, repeatedly lifted and dropped by baffle 133, and when dropped, the laundry is knocked against the inner wall of rotary drum 103 to be washed. Although the washing operation of the washing machine 100 is described, the washing machine 100 may be provided with a heater, a blower fan, or the like, or may function as a dryer that dries laundry in a water tank.

Fig. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an example of the respective paths of the automatic washing operation and the manual washing operation in the washing machine 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in fig. 3, the washing machine 100 has, for example, a control unit 5 and a detergent supply mechanism 300. The detergent supply mechanism 300 has a first path 311, a first valve 302 and a pump 301 provided in the first path 311, a water supply path 321, a second valve 151 and a second path 322 provided in the water supply path 321.

At least one of the first valve 302 and the pump 301 is provided between the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 and the water tank 102. At least one second valve 151 is provided between the water supply connection port 150 and the water tank 102. In the present embodiment, at least one second valve 151 is provided between the water source connection port 150 and the first path 311.

The control unit 5 is an information Processing device including a cpu (central Processing unit) and the like that controls operations of the respective units of the washing machine 100. For example, the operations of the pump 301, the first valve 302, the second valve 151, and the like are controlled by the control unit 5.

The control unit 5 controls the opening and closing of the first valve 302 and the second valve 151 or controls the operation of the pump 301 when the automatic washing operation is performed, for example, when a preset time period stored in advance is reached. Further, the control unit 5 controls opening and closing of the first valve 302 and the second valve 151 or controls operation of the pump 301 based on an instruction signal obtained from an operation button during the manual washing operation.

First path 311 is a path for supplying the washing processing liquid from detergent container 162 and softener container 163 to water tank 102 during the automatic washing operation. First path 311 has

container connection portions

312a and 312b as end portions connected to detergent container 162 and softener container 163, and water tank connection portion 313 as an end portion connected to water tank 102. In the present embodiment, the container connecting portion 312a is connected to the detergent container 162, and the container connecting portion 312b is connected to the softener container 163. The

container connecting portions

312a and 312b in the first path 311 may be provided in a number corresponding to the number of the washing treatment liquid containers 160. The connection between the

container connection parts

312a and 312b and the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 will be described in detail later.

The water supply path 321 is a path for supplying water from a water source connected to the water source connection port 150 to the water tank 102. For example, the water supply path 321 is connected to the first path 311.

When the washing machine 100 performs the automatic washing operation, the control part 5 controls the second valve 151 to form a water supply path 321 from the water source connection port 150 to the water tank 102 via the second valve 151.

When the washing machine 100 performs a washing operation by an automatic washing operation, the detergent of the detergent container 162 and the softener of the softener container 163 are supplied to the water tank 102 through the first path 311 via the pump 301. For example, pump 301 pumps detergent from detergent container 162 or softener from softener container 163 and provides it to sink 102. The pump 301 is preferably configured to pump a predetermined amount of the cleaning solution from each cleaning solution container 160. For example, the amount of the washing treatment liquid may be adjusted by the driving time of the pump 301.

The type of the cleaning solution supplied to the water tank 102 is switched by the first valve 302. In the present embodiment, the first valve 302 is used as a valve for switching the type of the washing processing liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a corresponding valve may be provided for each washing processing container, and the washing processing liquid may be switched by opening and closing the valves.

The washing processing liquid supplied to the water tank 102 is mixed with water by being connected to a water supply path 321 from a water source through the water source connection port 150 and the second valve 151 on the way from the pump 301 to the first path 311 of the water tank 102. Thereby, the washing treatment liquid becomes diluted washing water, and is supplied to the water tank 102 through the water tank connection portion 313. In the present embodiment, although the water supply connection port 150 is configured to supply water downstream of the pump 301, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the water supply connection port may be configured to supply water upstream of the pump 301 or upstream of the first valve 302. In this case, the pump 301 and the first valve 302 may be flushed with water.

In the present embodiment, the example of the container for containing the washing treatment liquid including the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and one or more washing treatment liquid containers may be used. For example, a plurality of types of detergents and/or softeners may be stored in different containers, and the types of detergents and softeners may be selected and used according to the preference of the user.

For example, the manual detergent dispenser 119 is provided in a second path 322 from the second valve 151 to the water tank 102.

When the washing machine 100 performs the manual washing operation, the control unit 5 controls the second valve 151 to form the second path 322, and the second path 322 passes from the water source connection port 150 to the water tank 102 through the second valve 151 and the manual detergent input unit 119.

When the washing machine 100 performs the manual washing operation, water supplied from a water source to the manual detergent input portion 119 through the water source connection port 150 and the second valve 151 is mixed with detergent contained in the manual detergent input portion 119 to be used as washing water. The washing water is supplied from manual detergent input unit 119 to water tub 102.

Thus, referring to fig. 1 and the like, according to the washing machine 100, for example, the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 protrude from the surface of the housing 101 and are detachably mounted to the housing 101. Therefore, unlike the case where a detergent container is mounted inside a casing as in the washing machine described in patent document 1, the user can easily attach and detach the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 to and from the casing 101. Therefore, the user can easily attach and detach the detergent container 162 to and from the housing 101 to replenish the liquid detergent, and can easily attach and detach the conditioner container 163 to and from the housing 101 to replenish the conditioner. Thus, according to the washing machine 100, convenience of the user can be improved.

In addition, as described above, according to the washing machine 100, the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 are mounted on the housing 101 to protrude from the surface of the housing 101. Therefore, unlike the case where the detergent container is mounted inside the casing as in the washing machine described in patent document 1, the detergent container 162 may be replenished with the detergent without removing the detergent container 162 from the casing 101. In addition, the conditioner may be replenished into the conditioner container 163 without detaching the conditioner container 163 from the housing 101. From this point of view, the washing machine 100 may also improve user convenience.

Further, as described above, according to the washing machine 100, the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 are mounted on the housing 101 to protrude from the surface of the housing 101. Therefore, unlike the case where a detergent container is mounted inside a casing like the washing machine described in patent document 1, the respective capacities of the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 can be increased. Therefore, according to the washing machine 100, the user can reduce the number of times of replenishing the detergent to the detergent container 162 or replenishing the conditioner to the conditioner container 163. From this point of view, the washing machine 100 may also improve user convenience.

For example, in washing machine 100, a cover or the like that covers the portions of detergent container 162 and softener container 163 that protrude from the surface of casing 101 is not provided on casing 101, and the portions of detergent container 162 and softener container 163 that protrude from the surface of casing 101 are exposed. Thus, unlike the case where the cover is opened when removing the detergent container provided inside the housing like the washing machine described in patent document 1, the user can easily attach or detach the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 to or from the housing 101 without opening or closing the cover or the like.

In addition, for example, in the washing machine 100, an openable and closable cover may be provided on the casing 101 to cover the portions of the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 that protrude from the surface of the casing 101.

In addition, for example, in the washing machine 100, the detergent container 162 and the conditioner container 163 are mounted on the housing 101 to protrude from the upper face 101a in the housing 101. In other words, for example, the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 are mounted on the housing 101 in such a manner as to protrude from the surface of the housing 101, so as to increase the size of the washing machine 100 in the height direction. Accordingly, as compared with the case where the detergent container and the softener container protrude from one of the two side surface portions of the casing and the case where the detergent container and the softener container protrude from the front surface portion or the rear surface portion, the length of the washing machine 100 in the width direction (the direction from one of the side surface portion 101e and the side surface portion 101f to the other) or the length of the washing machine 100 in the depth direction (the direction from one of the front surface portion 101c and the rear surface portion 101d to the other) can be prevented from increasing. This makes it possible to prevent an increase in the area required for installing washing machine 100 and to easily attach and detach detergent container 162 and softener container 163 to and from casing 101, while increasing convenience.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 mounted on the mounting portion 117 and the manual detergent input portion 119 in the washing machine 100 according to embodiment 1. In fig. 4, the upper surface portion 101a around the mounting portion 117 is not shown.

As shown in fig. 1 and 4, the manual detergent input portion 119 includes a decorative plate 119a and a manual input box (storage container) 119 b. The manual input box 119b is a container for storing detergent, and has an open top. The decorative plate 119a is attached to the front end of the manual insertion box 119 b. For example, when the manual detergent dispenser 119 is housed in the case 101, the decorative plate 119a is formed to be flush with (continuous with) the front surface 101c around the decorative plate 119 a. The decorative plate 119a has a grip portion that a user grips with a hand in order to store the manual detergent dispenser 119 in the casing 101 or remove the manual detergent dispenser from the casing 101. For example, the manual detergent dispenser 119 is slid from the front side of the casing 101, inserted into the casing 101, and attached to the casing 101.

Here, as shown in fig. 1, in washing machine 100, unlike the washing machine described in patent document 1 in which a detergent container is mounted inside a casing, detergent container 162 and softener container 163 are mounted on casing 101 so as to protrude from the surface of casing 101. Therefore, since the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 protrude from the surface of the housing 101, the internal space of the housing 101 having a limited space can be secured.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 1 and 4, for example, in washing machine 100, manual detergent input unit 119 is detachably attached to casing 101 below detergent container 162 and softener container 163 (in other words, below mounting unit 117). In other words, the manual detergent input portion 119 is installed inside the housing 101 such that the detergent container 162, the softener container 163, and the manual detergent input portion 119 are formed in two upper and lower stages. Therefore, the manual detergent input portion 119 may be provided in the casing 101 separately from the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 without enlarging the casing 101.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the structures of the detergent container 162 and the softener container 163 according to the first embodiment. For example, the detergent container 162 includes a main body 162a having an upper opening, a cover 162b for closing the opening of the main body 162a, and a supply nozzle 162c for supplying the detergent in the main body 162a to the outside. For example, a transparent window 162d that transmits visible light is provided on a side surface of the main body 162 a. The body 162a is a container for storing detergent filled inside by a user. Preferably, the interior of the body 162a is sealed by mounting the cover 162b on the body 162 a.

The supply nozzle portion 162c has, for example, a through hole penetrating the main body 162a and a check valve provided in the through hole, and is a column shape protruding outward or inward from the main body 162 a. When the detergent container 162 is mounted on the mounting unit 117, the supply nozzle portion 162c is connected to the mounting unit 117 as described later. In the present embodiment, the supply nozzle 162c is provided to protrude outward and downward from the bottom surface of the main body 162 a.

For example, the softener container 163 includes a body 163a having an upper opening, a cover 163b for closing the opening of the body 163a, and a supply nozzle (not shown) for supplying the detergent in the body 163a to the outside. Further, for example, a transparent window 163d is provided on a side surface of the main body 163a, and the transparent window 163d transmits visible light. The body 163a is a container that stores the softener filled inside by the user. Preferably, the body 163a is sealed by attaching the cover 163b to the body 163 a.

The supply nozzle (not shown) has, for example, a through hole penetrating the body 163a and a check valve provided in the through hole, and is a column shape protruding outward or inward from the body 163 a. When the softener container 163 is mounted on the mounting portion 117, the supply nozzle portion 162c is connected to the mounting portion 117 as described later. For example, in the present embodiment, the supply nozzle portion (not shown) is provided to protrude outward and downward from the bottom surface of the body 163 a.

For example, the bottom surfaces of the

bodies

162a and 163a are gradually inclined downward from the front to the rear. In addition, the shapes of the

main bodies

162a and 163a may be other shapes, for example, the

main bodies

162a and 163a may be independent shapes when the

main bodies

162a and 163a are removed from the mounting portion 117 and placed on a floor or the like.

In the detergent container 162, the window 162d may be provided at least in part of the main body 162a and the cover 162 b. In other words, at least a part of the main body 162a and the cover 162b may be transparent. Thus, the entire body 162a and the cover 162b can be transparent.

The window 162d is preferably provided in a side surface portion of the main body 162 a. In other words, a part of the side surface of the main body 162a is preferably transparent. This makes it easy to visually confirm the level of the detergent in the main body 162a, that is, the remaining amount of the detergent.

Further, it is preferable that the window portion 162d is provided at a portion where the detergent container 162 protrudes from the surface of the housing 101 to be exposed when the detergent container 162 is mounted on the mounting portion 117. In other words, it is preferable that at least a portion of the detergent container 162 exposed from the surface of the housing 101 is transparent. Thus, the remaining amount of the detergent in the detergent container 162 can be visually checked in a state where the detergent container 162 is mounted on the mounting portion 117.

In the softener container 163, the window 163d may be provided at least in a part of the body 163a and the cover 163 b. In other words, at least a part of the body 163a and the cover 163b may be transparent. Thus, the entire body 163a and the cover 163b can be transparent.

In addition, the window 163d is preferably provided in a side surface portion of the body 163 a. In other words, a part of the side surface portion of the body 163a is preferably transparent. Thus, the level of the softener, i.e., the remaining amount of the softener, in the body 163a is easily visually confirmed.

In addition, it is preferable that the window portion 163d be provided on a portion where the softener container 163 protrudes from the surface of the housing 101 to be exposed when the softener container 163 is mounted on the mounting portion 117. In other words, it is preferable that at least a part of the portion exposed from the surface of the housing 101 in the softener container 163 is transparent. Thus, the remaining amount of the softener in the softener container 163 can be visually checked in a state where the softener container 163 is mounted on the mounting portion 117.

In addition, as shown in fig. 5, the face of the body 162a provided with the window portion 162d and the face of the body 163a provided with the window portion 163d may be different from each other. For example, in fig. 5, the window 162d is provided on one surface of the body 162a, and the window 163d is provided on the front surface of the body 163 a.

As shown in fig. 5, the window 162d is preferably provided on a surface of the body 162a and the cover 162b that is different from the surface facing the softener container 163. As shown in fig. 5, the window 163d is preferably provided on a surface of the body 163a and the cover 163b that is different from the surface facing the detergent container 162.

Further, identification information that can identify the individual washing treatment liquid container 160 such as a QR code (registered trademark) may be added to each washing treatment liquid container 160. This allows the types of the cleaning liquid stored in each cleaning liquid container 160 to be managed, for example, and the cleaning liquid container 160 to be managed.

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which the detergent container 162 according to the present embodiment is mounted on the mounting portion 117. The state in which the detergent container 162 is mounted on the mounting portion 117 will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. Since the state in which the softener container 163 is mounted on the mounting portion 117 is the same as the state in which the detergent container 162 is mounted on the mounting portion 117, the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

The mounting portion 117 is recessed from the surface of the upper surface portion 101a into the housing, for example. The mounting portion 117 has a bottom surface 117a, a front side surface 117b provided upright on the front side of the bottom surface 117a, a rear side surface 117c provided upright on the rear side of the bottom surface 117a, and both side surfaces (not shown in fig. 6) provided upright on both sides of the side surface of the bottom surface 117 a.

The mounting portion 117 includes a container connecting portion 312a connected to the supply nozzle portion 162c of the detergent container 162 and having a shape fitting into the supply nozzle portion 162c, and a container connecting portion (not shown) connected to the supply nozzle portion (not shown) of the softener container 163 and having a shape fitting into the supply nozzle portion. For example, the mounting portion 117 is connected to the supply nozzle portion 162c of the detergent container 162, and connected to the container connection portion 312a having a shape fitted to the supply nozzle portion 162c and the supply nozzle portion (not shown) of the softener container 163, and the container having a shape fitted to the supply nozzle portion has a connection portion (not shown). For example, the mounting portion 117 includes container connection portions corresponding to the number of the mounted washing process liquid containers, connected to the supply nozzle portions of the washing process liquid containers, and having shapes fitted to the supply nozzle portions. For example, each of the supply nozzle units 162c is provided on the bottom surface 117a of the loading unit 117.

The bottom surface 117a is a bottom surface recessed from the surface of the upper surface portion 101a into the housing, and is a surface on which a washing treatment liquid container 160 such as a detergent container 162 is mounted. For example, the bottom surface 117a has a shape corresponding to the bottom surface of the main body 162a of the detergent container 162, so that the detergent container 162 is stably disposed when the detergent container 162 is mounted.

For example, in the present embodiment, the bottom surface 117a is formed to be gradually inclined downward from the front side surface 117b to the rear side surface 117 c. Thereby, the detergent container 162 is stably disposed on the bottom surface 117 a.

Further, since bottom surface 117a is formed in a shape gradually inclined downward from front side surface 117b to rear side surface 117c, when a user mounts detergent container 162 on mounting portion 117, detergent container 162 can be mounted on mounting portion 117 by sliding on the surface of bottom surface 117a from the front side to the rear side in mounting portion 117. Thus, even if the weight of detergent container 162 increases due to the increase in the capacity of detergent container 162, the user can easily mount detergent container 162 on mounting portion 117.

Since the detergent container 162 is mounted on the mounting portion 117, the supply nozzle portion 162c is connected to the container connecting portion 312 a. Thereby, the supply nozzle portion 162c of the detergent container 162 and the first path 311 communicate with each other. The other cleaning liquid container 160 is also connected to the first path 311 by a container connection portion (not shown) fitted to each supply nozzle portion (not shown).

For example, the shape of the supply nozzle portion of each washing treatment liquid container 160 and the shape of the container connection portion may be different for each washing treatment liquid container 160. This prevents erroneous connection between the supply nozzle portion of the washing treatment liquid container 160 and the container connecting portion, such as connecting the supply nozzle portion of the softener container 163 to the container connecting portion 312a to be connected to the supply nozzle portion 162c of the detergent container 162.

Here, when the detergent container 162 is mounted on the mounting portion 117, it is preferable that the detergent container 162 is accommodated in the mounting portion 117, that is, the inside of the casing 101, at a height H1 of at least half. Here, the height H1 of the detergent container 162 is the maximum height obtained by combining the main body 162a and the lid 162b with the supply nozzle portion 162c removed. This allows detergent container 162 to be stably mounted on mounting unit 117. Similarly, it is preferable that the washing treatment liquid container 160 other than the detergent container 162 is accommodated in the mounting portion 117, that is, in the housing 101, at least half of its height.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of a detergent container 162A and a mounting portion 117A according to modification 1 of the embodiment. Washing machine 100 (fig. 1, etc.) may further include a detergent container 162A in addition to or instead of detergent container 162 (fig. 6, etc.). Washing machine 100 (fig. 1 and the like) may further include mounting portion 117A in addition to mounting portion 117 (fig. 6 and the like) or instead of mounting portion 117.

The detergent container 162A is configured such that the supply nozzle 162c is provided at the rear side surface portion, not the bottom surface portion of the main body 162A, depending on the configuration of the detergent container 162. The other structure of the detergent container 162A is the same as the detergent container 162.

The mounting portion 117A is configured such that the container connecting portion 312a is provided on the rear side surface 117c instead of the bottom surface 117A, depending on the configuration of the mounting portion 117. The other configuration of the mounting portion 117A is the same as that of the mounting portion 117.

According to the detergent container 162A and the mounting portion 117A, when the detergent container 162A is inserted into the mounting portion 117A from the front side of the mounting portion 117A and mounted, the user can easily position the supply nozzle portion 162c of the detergent container 162A with respect to the container connecting portion 312A of the mounting portion 117A. Thus, the user can easily connect the supply nozzle portion 162c of the detergent container 162A to the container connecting portion 312A of the mounting portion 117A.

Fig. 8 is a side view showing an example of the structure of a cleaning liquid container 160B according to modification 2. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the washing treatment liquid container 160B shown in fig. 8. Washing machine 100 (fig. 1, etc.) may include a washing treatment liquid container 160B in addition to washing treatment liquid container 160 or instead of washing treatment liquid container 160.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the washing processing liquid container 160B includes a main body 160Ba and a supply nozzle 160 Bc. The portion (for example, the upper surface portion or the like) of the main body 160Ba other than the portion provided with the supply nozzle portion 160Bc is not opened, and is sealed by providing the supply nozzle portion 160Bc, for example.

The supply nozzle 160Bc supplies the cleaning liquid inside the main body 160Ba to the outside and also functions as a lid. For example, the supply nozzle portion 160Bc has a through hole penetrating the main body 160Ba and a check valve provided in the through hole, and is a column shape protruding outward from the main body 162 Ba. The supply nozzle portion 160Bc is shaped to fit in a container connecting portion connected to the mounting portion 117 (fig. 6 and the like). In fig. 8 and 9, the supply nozzle section 160Bc is shown as being provided on the bottom surface of the main body 160Ba, but the supply nozzle section 160Bc may be provided on the side surface, the upper surface, or the like of the main body 160 Ba.

Fig. 10 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of the cleaning liquid container 160 according to modification 3. Fig. 11 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of the cleaning liquid container 160 according to modification 4. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of a cleaning liquid container 160 according to modification 5. Fig. 13 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of a cleaning liquid container 160 according to modification 5. Fig. 14 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of the cleaning liquid container 160 according to modification 6. Fig. 15 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of a cleaning liquid container 160 according to modification 7. Fig. 16 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of a cleaning liquid container 160 according to modification 8. Fig. 17 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of a cleaning liquid container 160 according to modification 9.

As shown in fig. 10 to 17, a plurality of washing treatment liquid containers 160 may be disposed at various arrangement positions of the mounting portion 117, for example, two or more detergent containers 162 may be disposed, or two or more softener containers 163 may be disposed.

As shown in fig. 16, for example, a gap 167 for inserting a finger may be provided between the adjacent detergent container 162 and softener container 163, and the detergent container 162 and softener container 163 may be mounted on the mounting portion 117. As shown in fig. 17, by bending the shape of each of the adjacent detergent container 162 and softener container 163, a gap 168 for inserting, for example, a finger can be provided between the adjacent detergent container 162 and softener container 163, and the detergent container 162 and softener container 163 can be mounted on the mounting portion 117.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be replaced with a configuration substantially similar to the configuration described in the above-described embodiments, a configuration exhibiting the same operational effects, or a configuration capable of achieving the same object.

Claims

1. A washing machine is characterized by comprising:

a water tank for storing washing water;

a housing accommodating the water tank;

at least one washing treatment liquid container for containing the washing treatment liquid supplied to the water tank,

the at least one washing processing liquid container protrudes from a surface of the housing and is detachably mounted on the housing.

2. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein in the at least one detergent container, a portion protruding from a surface of the housing is exposed.

3. A washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,

the housing includes an upper surface portion disposed above the water tank,

the at least one detergent container protrudes from a surface of the upper portion and is mounted on the housing.

4. A washing machine as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a receiving container detachably mounted to the casing below the at least one detergent container for receiving detergent supplied to the water tub.

5. A washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein in the at least one detergent container at least a portion of the portion exposed from the surface of the casing is transparent.

6. A washing machine as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein in the at least one detergent container at least a portion of the side portion is transparent.

7. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the at least one detergent container is a plurality of detergent containers,

the plurality of detergent containers are mounted on the housing, and gaps for inserting fingers are provided between adjacent detergent containers.

8. A washing machine as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 wherein more than half of the height of the at least one detergent container is accommodated inside the casing.

9. A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

comprises a detergent supply mechanism and a valve control unit;

the detergent supply mechanism further has at least one first end connected to the at least one detergent container, a second end connected to the water tank, at least one first valve provided on the way of a first path from the at least one first end to the second end, a water source connection port connected to a water source, and at least one second valve provided on the way of the first path from the water source connection port;

the valve control unit controls opening and closing of the at least one valve.